Final Plan Available
Final and Adopted* Master Plan
*Adopted by the Dedham Planning Board
Draft Chapters Available
Draft Master Plan chapters are available for public review.
These chapters are based on community feedback through survey responses, community meetings, and Master Plan committee input. In the fall of 2021, the public had a chance to weigh in on draft strategies for each topic. These chapters are a result of that thorough review and feedback.
If you have thoughts or comments, please email them directly to Josh Fiala at [email protected].
About the Project
Designing Dedham 2030 is a town-wide master planning process that will provide the basis for decision-making in Dedham for the next 10 years. The Dedham community will evaluate the town's strengths and challenges and envision the type of community Dedham would like to be in the future.
This plan will be developed through a public process engaging the community’s residents, business owners, and leadership and will be built upon research, analysis, and community involvement. Designing Dedham will include a robust community engagement process with many chances for Dedham community members to get involved through public meetings and forums, online engagement, pop-ups at public events, and more. A robust public process will ensure that the final plan reflects the needs of all residents.
Designing Dedham will set a community vision, goals, and implementation steps, considering land use; housing; economic development; transportation; natural, cultural, and historic resources; community facilities and services; governance; land use and zoning; and public health and livability.
Housing
Dedham’s population has been increasing, aging, and becoming more diverse. As a result, the housing stock needs to continually adapt to meet the needs of the Town’s population. The master plan topic of housing examines the plans, policies, and regulations the town controls relative to housing production. Housing demand will continue to become increasingly diverse and vary by neighborhood to align with demographic trends.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Dedham has a mix of small businesses, large chain stores, commercial and industrial businesses that shape the amenities, services, and employment opportunities in the town. Economic development is important to make sure the town stays vibrant, residents have job opportunities, and the tax base remains strong.
Transportation
The main feature of Dedham’s transportation infrastructure is the road network of 110 miles of streets, over two-thirds of which are town controlled. While infrastructure for walking and biking is lacking in many areas, there is strong interest from community members in creating a less car-centric town. In addition, MBTA bus and rail transit options have opportunities to serve more people commuting into and out of Dedham.
Natural, Cultural, & Historic Resources
Dedham is home to a rich history, robust cultural resources, and a wealth of natural and recreational resources. These resources are closely related, and for that reason are combined into one topic. The Town values its natural, cultural, and historic resources and strives to preserve these assets for future generations.
Community Facilities and Services
Dedham's ability to provide adequate facilities and services depends on effective capital planning, a commitment to implementation, sound asset management policies, and availability of revenue for local government operations.
A community facility is any town-owned asset that has been developed for a public purpose and provides community services. Community services include municipal services and utilities.
Governance
The Governance topic of the Master Plan incorporates key indicators of Dedham's financial health and service delivery, as well as surveys and feedback from residents and stakeholders. This section aims to outline the ways in which Dedham's local staff and government can be more effective, transparent, and accountable in the service they provide, and ensure that information on local issues and civic participation is accessible for all of Dedham's residents.
Land Use and Zoning
Dedham's settlement patterns have evolved over centuries and have been defined by the town's rivers and water bodies, influenced by transportation infrastructure, and continue to evolve today. The overall patterns of major squares, neighborhood centers, and commercial corridors are established, but continue to change and present opportunities for improvement. Zoning and regulations provide the tools to positively shape land use patterns for future generations.
Public Health & Livability
Current events and research underline the importance of taking public health into consideration when making planning decisions. T he built environment of
our neighborhoods impact individual health and wellbeing. Medical research indicates that planning decisions influence social, environmental, and behavioral factors within communities where residents live, work, and play account for 60% of health outcomes. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance and urgency to strengthen a high performing and coordinated municipal public health system to ensure Dedham is prepared for future emergencies.
Questions?
Contact Dedham Planning Director Jeremy Rosenberger at [email protected]
or MAPC Principal Planner Josh Fiala at [email protected].
Who We Are
Master Plan Committee Members:
The Master Plan Committee is made up of representatives from the Planning Board, Select Board, School Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as several members at large who were appointed by either the Planning Board or Select Board.
The Master Plan Committee members were selected by the Planning Board and Selectboard. The Committee members are:
- Dieckmann Cogill
- Josh Donati
School Committee - Nathan Gauthier
- Dan Hart
- Justin A. Humphreys
- Sarah MacDonald
Co-Chair, Select Board - Daniel T. Maher
- Shaw McDermott
- Jay O’Brien
Planning Board - Alix M. O’Connell
Parks and Recreation
- Jessica Porter
Co-Chair, Planning Board - Jeremy Rosenberger
Planning Director - Sharna Small Borsellino
- Michelle Tinger
Planning Specialist
- Andrew Tittler
- Margaret Adams Whitfield
Former Committee Members:
- James Antonizick
- Tye Donahue
Parks and Recreation Commission - Scott Steeves
Join the outreach working group!
We are looking for members that are passionate about Dedham and community engagement and care about the planning topics covered in the Master Plan. We know we will have a better planning process when we have more people involved in the process! Experience is appreciated but not necessary.
Applications are received on a rolling basis. Please email MAPC Community Engagement Manager Carolina Prieto, at [email protected].
Outreach Working Group Members:
The Outreach Working Group for Designing Dedham makes sure the planning process is actively shared with all community members living and working in Dedham. The group works to design community forums, virtual focus groups and in-person engagement efforts and focuses on ensuring that community-based organizations, businesses, and the public at-large can participate fully in the process.
Current Members
- Alix Voyajopoulos
Riverdale - Anna Kijas
- Annika Cox
- Dimitria Sullivan
Riverdale - Danielle Deluca
- Janet Holmes
Riverdale - Jessica Porter
Dedham Village - Meg Duncan
Dedham Village - Michelle Tinger
Town Staff - Mike Butler
Oakdale - Sarah Vázquez-Graziani
Past Members:
- Margaret Adams
Oakdale - Amy Paxson
West Dedham/ P1
- Kerry Walkins
The Manor/ Sprague/ Greenlodge
What We've Done So Far
December 4, 2021
Community Celebration
Hybrid Meeting: Zoom and In-Person
October 12 and October 19, 2021
Community Office Hours
Zoom Meeting
October 5, 2021
Topic Strategies
Zoom Meeting
March 30, 2021
Governance, Community Facilities and Services, and Land Use
Zoom Meeting
- Presentation
- Topic Summary: Community Facilities and Services
- Topic Summary: Governance
- Topic Summary: Land Use and Zoning
- Watch the recording
January 26, 2021
Housing, Public Health/Livability, and Natural, Cultural, & Historic Resources
Zoom Meeting
- Presentation
- Topic Summary: Housing
- Topic Summary: Public Health/Livability
- Topic Summary: Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources
- Watch the recording
December 7, 2020
Economic Development & Transportation
Zoom Meeting
- Agenda
- Presentation
- Topic Summary: Economic Development
- Topic Summary: Transportation
Workshop Materials:
Poster Campaign
A colorful series of four posters prompted residents to answer questions about their personal experiences and dreams for the future of the town. Posters were displayed in locations across town, including parks, businesses, sidewalks and walkways.
Timeline
Dedham Demographics and Data
Population Data
Population Growth
Population = 25,377
Dedham's total population has been growing, up 8% between 2000 and 2017. MAPC's 2016 Regional Growth Projections estimated that the population will reach 26,562 in 2030 under the "Status Quo" scenario.
Household Types
Almost 10,000 households live in Dedham.
The average household size is 2.47, compared to 2.53 in Massachusetts and 2.58 in the United States.
69% of units are owner-occupied
31% of units are renter-occupied
Youth and Seniors
21% of Dedham's total population is under 20 years old.
44% of Dedham households have school-aged children.
26% of Dedham's populations are 60 or older. This population saw a 30% increase from 2000 to 2017 and is projected to increase more.
5.8% of Dedham households consist of seniors living alone.
Socioeconomic Data
Education
Dedham has a high level of educational attainment:
- 94.4% of the population over 25 has a high school degree or higher
- 54.2% of the population of 25 has an associate degree or higher
- 47.5% have a bachelor's or higher
- 20.2% have a master's degree or higher
- 2.5% have no high school
- 6.3% have some high school
Household Types
Almost 10,000 households live in Dedham.
The average household size is 2.47, compared to
2.53 in Massachusetts and
2.58 in the United States.
69% of units are owner-occupied
31% of units are renter-occupied
Youth and Seniors
21% of Dedham's total population is under 20 years old.
44% of Dedham households have school-aged children.
26% of Dedham's populations are 60 or older. This population saw a 30% increase from 2000 to 2017 and is projected to increase more.
5.8% of Dedham households consist of seniors living alone.
Income
Median Household Income in Dedham: $89,514 (about $23,000 less than the area median income (AMI) for the Greater Boston region)
12.4% of non-family households are in poverty
2.23% of family households are in poverty
Transportation
- 79.1% of Dedham commuters drive to work - 89.6% of them drive alone.
- 10.8% take public transit to work.
- 3.6% walk to work and 0.2% commute by bicycle.
The average travel time for workers aged 16 or older is 30.4 minutes.
- 91.8% of households in Dedham have at least 1 vehicle.
- 38.4% have two vehicles.
- 11.6% have three vehicles.
Documents & Resources
Past Plans
Dedham Climate Action and Resilience Plan (2020)
In development
Mixed Use Development Study (2020)
In development
Housing Study (2020)
In development
Providence Highway: Create a Better Corridor (2020)
In development
Master Plan Commitee Meetings & Presentations to Town Boards
Expand for presentations, documents, and recordings.
Other Documents
Previous Drafts
See the "Draft Chapters" section at the top of this page for updated language.
Draft Vision Statement: September 2021
Housing
Economic Development
Transportation
Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources
Community Facilities and Services
Governance
Land Use and Zoning
Public Health and Livability